Evaluating and Communicating the Value of Research

In FY2022, the MnDOT Office of Research and Innovation managed a total of 215 active and completed projects, of which 75 received partial or full funding from the Local Road Research Board (LRRB). Evaluating the benefits of this research and effectively communicating the benefits to diverse audiences serves several important purposes. It helps both MnDOT and LRRB gain insights into the outcomes of their investments in research and innovation. It also promotes continued exploration and implementation of new knowledge and technology within the field of transportation and aids in prioritizing future research implementation projects. This project involved a comprehensive review of the existing tools and processes used by MnDOT and LRRB for research benefit evaluation and communication and proposed a versatile multi-stage framework that can be adapted for various project types. This framework not only allows for long-term tracking of benefits but can also be integrated into the current research cycle. Furthermore, it incorporates and builds on existing tools, making it a valuable addition to the research and innovation process.